The U.S. Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act by a sweeping bipartisan margin, but U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R) was among the lawmakers who voted against the legislation, raising concerns about federal overreach and long-term housing policy.
The bill passed the Senate in an 89-10 vote and now heads to the House, where its future remains uncertain.
The legislation was spearheaded by Tim Scott (R-SC), chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, and the committee's ranking member, Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
If enacted, it will become the first major housing law passed by Congress in roughly three decades.
Supporters say the measure is designed to address rising housing costs across the country. Among its provisions are incentives for the construction of new homes, programs to convert abandoned buildings into housing developments, and grants aimed at renovating older housing stock.
Despite the broad bipartisan support, Sen. Cruz argued the bill ultimately fails to solve the underlying problems driving housing costs while expanding federal authority.
"Lowering housing costs for all Americans is a priority for this Republican Congress, but this bill falls short of that goal," said Cruz in a statement following the vote.
RELEASE: Sen. Cruz Statement on Voting Against 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act https://t.co/E8VtvwYnor pic.twitter.com/REZaIbgHSu
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) March 12, 2026
Cruz also criticized the bill's handling of a potential central bank digital currency. While the legislation prevents the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency until 2030, he said the measure does not go far enough.
"My Anti-CBDC Act takes the correct approach by permanently prohibiting the Federal Reserve from ever issuing a CBDC, directly or indirectly," said Cruz.
Cruz also warned that provisions within the bill could unintentionally reduce the supply of rental housing by requiring certain build-to-rent homes to be sold within seven years. Additionally, he expressed concern about giving the Department of Housing and Urban Development authority to develop zoning and land-use frameworks.
Washington bureaucrats should not dictate zoning decisions for local communities like my hometown of Houston," said Cruz.
Cruz added that he hopes changes could still be made as the legislation moves forward, saying he remains optimistic that Rep. French Hill (R-AR) and House negotiators will address his concerns during the conference process.
While the housing bill received overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate, Cruz's opposition highlights ongoing conservative concerns about federal involvement in housing markets and the broader regulatory authority granted under the legislation.
